Think Big co-founders Sheila Hill and Duntai Mathews, center, accept a ceremonial check from Midland States Bank for $20,000. (Photo provided by Midland States Bank)

By Kevin Haas
Rock River Current
Get our mobile app

ROCKFORD — Midland States Bank has contributed $20,000 to support Think Big, a new nonprofit that helps women and minority entrepreneurs grow their business.

“This project is an impactful way to invest in the Rockford community and its women- and minority-owned businesses,” Martesha Brown, director of community economic development for Midland, said in a news release. “We are excited to continue to partner with the organization to invest in entrepreneurs and small business development.”

Related: Rockford small business development center aims to ‘make history for our minority businesses’

Midland will also partner with Think Big to provide financial empowerment sessions to entrepreneurs, and it will serve as the lead sponsor for the Business to Legit event at the 2023 Think Big Expo.

“We are thankful for this donation from Midland States Bank and thrilled to have them as a continued partner in growing entrepreneurship in the Rockford region,” Sheila Hill, co-founder of Think Big, said in a news release. “We invite the community to stay tuned on the upcoming Think Big Expo and Business to Legit event this upcoming summer.”

More news: Soar Awards, which brings some of gospel’s biggest names to Rockford, returns to Coronado

Think Big also has a $3.1 million redevelopment deal with the city of Rockford to renovate the property at 1311 N. Main St. for its future home.

More information about Think Big can be found at thinkbig815.org.